The Faculty of Geographical Sciences of the University of Lodz consistently develops cooperation with the socio-economic environment, including regional public administration. The Faculty’s involvement – represented by Dr Tomasz Figlus – in the implementation of the international RuralProof project, carried out in cooperation with the Marshal’s Office of the Łódź Voivodeship is one of the examples of such synergy.
The European RuralProof project focuses on assessing the impact of public policies on rural development and on developing tools that support more sustainable and effective regional planning. In this context, cooperation between the academic community and regional authorities is particularly important, as it enables the integration of expert knowledge with the practical implementation of public policies.
Dr Tomasz Figlus, as a representative of the Faculty of Geographical Sciences of the University of Lodz, participates in the project in direct cooperation with the regional government of the Łódź Voivodeship. His involvement includes both substantive support and participation in international exchange of experience, contributing to strengthening the institutional capacity of the region.
Dr Figlus’s participation in the 3rd Interregional Meeting, held on 12–13 May 2026 in Larisa, Greece, was an important element of this cooperation. The event brought together project partners from various European countries and marked an important stage in the transition from problem analysis to the identification and implementation of good practices in rural development.
During the meeting, particular attention was paid to the exchange of experiences between regions and to the involvement of stakeholders in local development governance processes. In this context, the importance of cooperation between public institutions, the academic community and local communities was emphasised as a key condition for the effective implementation of development policies.
The Good Practices Market workshop, during which solutions developed in individual partner regions, including the Łódź Voivodeship, were presented, was one of the key elements of the programme. Participants had the opportunity not only to learn about specific initiatives but also to analyse their potential adaptation in their own regions. This interactive format supported knowledge transfer and the identification of solutions applicable to the conditions of the Łódź region.
The second day of the meeting, organised as a study visit, enabled participants to familiarise themselves directly with examples of the implementation of rural development policies in the Thessaly region. Particular emphasis was placed on the importance of multi-level governance, the use of instruments such as LEADER/CLLD, and the role of cultural heritage and local entrepreneurship in stimulating rural development.
The involvement of Dr Tomasz Figlus in the RuralProof project is an example of the active role of staff of the Faculty of Geographical Sciences of the University of Lodz in EU initiatives and confirms the importance of geographical research in the practice of spatial planning and regional development. Cooperation with the Marshal’s Office in Łódź demonstrates that the university can be an important partner in shaping modern and effective public policies addressing the challenges of contemporary rural areas.
